Sunday night’s (June 29) announcement on social media that State Senator Royce Duplessis will enter the fray for mayor alters the entire dynamic of the competition. It’s now a contest between four—rather than three—major candidates, with several other minor candidates also set to qualify. It is also a contest where the race of the candidate and of the voters he or she seeks to attract might determine the outcome.
Duplessis has always been in a strong position to run for mayor. The leaders of the business community have a solid working relationship with him. His last name resonates with many Black voters. His public image—marked by good looks, strong family ties, and a respected presence—makes him particularly appealing to a wide base of voters, including many Black women, who remain a powerhouse in New Orleans elections.
He has championed key legislation in Baton Rouge around criminal justice reform, maternal health equity, and economic development—efforts that have resonated with both grassroots organizers and civic leaders in New Orleans. In his time at the State Capitol, Duplessis gained a reputation as a coalition builder who could bridge ideological divides—earning respect from colleagues across party lines while staying grounded in the needs of his district.
Though Duplessis does not have a huge war chest like City Council Vice President Helena Moreno, he won’t have much trouble raising money. His Senate district includes the CBD with all its hotels, restaurants, and attractions, along with the Superdome and a generous portion of Uptown New Orleans. Deep-pocketed donors who might have already maxed out with Moreno, Councilmember Oliver Thomas, or former Judge Arthur Hunter could hedge their bets with a check to Duplessis.
Duplessis’ announcement may have been timed to strike a blow against Hunter, who had set his official kick-off for Monday, June 30. Although Hunter is Black, he has a growing base of support among White conservative voters. Caroline Fayard, Dickie Brennan, and consultant Karen Carvin Shachat are heavily involved in his campaign. Hunter is a much better prepared candidate than he was four years ago. He has been slowly picking up steam but could be crippled by Duplessis.
Oliver Thomas will also feel the effect, especially in fundraising. As donors stretch their budgets to include Duplessis, there will be fewer funds available for a second check to Thomas. With Duplessis in the race, Black voters also have another viable option.
The number of votes a mayoral candidate will need to make the runoff has automatically decreased. Each of the candidates must concentrate more on their base and what it will take to keep those voters engaged through Election Day.
Moreno might be in the best position to do just that. She has raised significant funds and put together an experienced team of professionals led by longtime consultant Rene Lapeyrolerie. Her campaign calendar is chock-full of appearances with appreciative audiences, which her social media operatives share far and wide. While Moreno may be of Hispanic descent, she is perceived by many as the White candidate—a dynamic some political observers believe could work to her advantage in the current field.
Some consultants speculate that a number of White voters may feel especially motivated to support a White mayoral candidate, given that New Orleans has not elected one since 1978. In this new landscape, Moreno is also expected to work across racial lines to secure 15% to 20% of the Black vote in order to win. Fortunately for her, Moreno has already made headway among some pockets of Black voters. She also enjoys broad support among millennials. During the coming months, she will lean into them even more. Moreno has been the front-runner for months. If she can hold that position, the election is hers.
Thomas now stands as the most prominent Black candidate, concentrating on the same loyal base of Black voters who have long supported him. His path to the runoff requires staying closely connected to these communities, particularly through churches and social events. With White voter turnout currently outpacing that of Black voters, mobilizing his base will be critical.
While some voters are still learning where Duplessis stands on city issues, his track record in the legislature offers clues: he has consistently supported gun safety legislation, improved access to prenatal care for Black mothers, and called for greater oversight of police use-of-force policies.
Hunter needs to broaden his base to stay competitive. His support in the Black community is less than robust. Some of his White supporters—particularly those interested in backing a strong contender—may drift toward Moreno or even Duplessis if Hunter doesn’t show momentum.
Voters don’t like candidates who flip-flop. Duplessis and his consultants—Tyronne Walker and Victoria Coulon—are going to have to explain what led to his decision to get in now. Could it be related to Zohran Mamdani’s campaign for mayor in New York City?
All the candidates should be looking at last week’s election for mayor of New York City to see what they can adapt from the race. Among the obvious lessons is authentically speaking to the voters where they are and delivering a message to which they can relate. Excited voters—including many under 40—got engaged. In New York, the issues were affordability: rent control, free transit, etc. With the help of several key endorsements, Mamdani sprang up from the back of a large pack in the waning weeks of the campaign. Could that same scenario happen in New Orleans?
We’ve yet to hear real, compelling messages on how to make New Orleans a better, safer place to live from the existing candidates. Higher-paying jobs, better public schools, more technical training for non-college-bound students, additional affordable housing. Which candidate will emerge as the out-of-the-box thinker, like Mamdani was in New York? Who will challenge the status quo?
Voters should also look at possible connectivity between races. Many of the key consultants have been hired by multiple campaigns. It’s possible there may be some message sharing between candidates in different races—not running together, but more like kissing cousins. Consultants might develop tag teams where a candidate in one race, like sheriff for example, might play off a candidate in the race for mayor. Voters should pay close attention to ensure they evaluate each candidate separately.
Voters should remember the year millionaire businesswoman and education advocate Leslie Jacobs declared her candidacy for mayor. Jacobs prepared a platform, hired staff, and began gathering dozens of endorsements. Jacobs was on a path to victory. Two weeks before qualifying, Mitch Landrieu popped up and said he too could win and would be a better mayor than Jacobs. Suddenly, Jacobs saw key supporters retract their endorsements. After a period of sad reflection, she withdrew from the race.
Duplessis made a similar play this year. Yet none of the candidates are expected to withdraw to give him greater leverage in the field. This might be the most interesting contest for mayor in many decades. Several other races—including for sheriff and at-large city council—are also proving to be extremely competitive. Qualifying takes place next week, immediately followed by the Alliance for Good Government’s annual dinner. Forums and endorsement meetings will then begin in earnest. The campaign season will be a fast and furious race until the October elections. Because of high interest in several races, several runoffs will keep the season rolling through November. Voters should check their registration now to ensure they are still on the rolls.
The post Royce Duplessis Just Shattered the Mayoral Race—Here’s How His Candidacy Changes Everything appeared first on Big Easy.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
